System for operating traffic-controlling and fire-alarm apparatus



Jan. 14, 1930.

H. GARRETT SYSTEM FOR OPERATING TRAFFIC CONTROLLING AND FIRE ALARM APPARATUS Filed Aug. 26. 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 14, 1930. H. GARRETT 1,743;965

SYSTEM FOR OPERATING TRAFFIC CONT ROLLING AND FIRE ALARM APPARATUS Filed Au 26. 1926 s Sheets-Sheet 2 H: GARRETT 1,743,965

Jarh, 14, 1930.

SYSTEM FOR OPERATING TRAFFIC CONTROLLING AND FIRE ALARM APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 26. 1926 i all movement of traflic t 4 ordinary trafiic throughout the entire zone.

Patented Jan. 14, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HENRY GARRETT, OF DALLAS, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, OF ONE-THIRD TO CHARLES F.

MAULEN, OF DALLAS, TEXAS, AND ONE- THIRD TO ASSOCIATED FACTORIES CORPORATION, OF DALLAS, TEXAS, A CORPORA- TION OF DELAWARE SYSTEM FOR OPERATING TRAFFIC-CONTROLLING AND FIRE-ALARM APPARATUS Application as August 26,

This invention relates to systems for operating trafiic controlling and fire alarm systems.

More particularly the invention'relates to 5 systems of the class described in m copendmg application for Patent, Serial 0. 9,625, filed February 16, 1925, now Patent No. 1,728,602, granted September 17, 1929.

In the prior system set forth in the foregoing application the idea involved was to simultaneously control all of the traific signals in a certain zone of a city, as the central, eastern or western part or zone of such city so that under fire conditions all ofthe trafllc signals. in all of the streets of such a eling from their stations or houses to a fire,

or at least to the immediate vicinity thereof. It is, therefore, not alwa s necessary to stop her than the fire apparatus, in the entire zone under the usual conditions attending a small fire. It is essential that ordinary trafiic be stopped on such streets as will be traversed by the fire apparatus in such an event.

One object of the present invention is to provide a novel system whereby selected streets may have their traflic signals set to stop the ordinary traffic, the remaining signals on the other streets or parts of streets in the zone continuing to operate for the direction of ordinary trafiic.

In other cases, such'as in large or serious. fires, it is advisable to stop all movement of l.

A second object of the invention is to provide an improved system wherein all the traffic signals in a given area containing a number of streets may be simultaneously set and held set in position to stop ordinary traflic.

Again, it is advisable at times to change the time duration of the stop, warning and go signals in the area covered. Such changes may e found best because of the existence of the periods commonly known as rush hours, i

1926. Serial No. 131,794.

because of a fire in the zone, or for other reasons.

A third object of the invention is to provide an improved system wherein the time duration of the exposure or change of signals may be varied at the will of the operator at the main or controlling station of the system With the above and other objects in viewas will be hereinafter apparent, the inven- Figure 1 is a partial wiring diagram ofthe system for one zone or area.

Figure 2 is a wiring diagram disclosing the remainder of the system for the zone, the diagram being complementary to that shown in Figure 1.

. Figure 3 is a front view of a special double throw switch adapted for use in connection with-this system.

Figure 4 is a side view of said switch.

Referring now to the wiring diagram it will be seen that for each street intersection there is provided a group of three lamps which are preferably colored in the usual manner, one being green for the Go signal, one yellow for the Caution signal and the remaininglamp being red for the .Stop signal. In referring to these signals and their associated apparatus throughout this specification the colors given will be used to designate such parts and lamps or signals. For instance a relay referred to as a red relay is to be understood as a relay associated with a red signal and not as indicating the color of the relay itself. Also, in the use of reference numerals the letters r, y and g will be affixed to the reference numerals used to distinguish elements associated with the red, yellow and green signals respectively. However, it is to be understood that I am in no way confined to the use of these particular colors in the signals; the colors mentioned being mere- 4 t1on conslsts in general of certain novel de--- ly typical of colors well adapted for use in my system.

The system receives its current from a supply main 10. Starting from this power or supply line there is provided a set of three main or street relays for each street in the area or zone equipped with signals. Each set of three relays is provided with three movable-relay-contacts 11, 11 and 11 which are connected in multiple to the supply line 10. These relays are also provided with fixed contacts 12', 12 and 12 which are normally engaged by the movable contacts 11, 11 and 11 and from the fixed contacts extend the street mains or conductors 13", 13 and .13 to whichthe' various sets of lamps 14", 14 and 14 are connected all red lamps on the street being connected in multiple to the main 13 and the yellow and green lamps in like manner to the mains 13 and 13 respectively. All the lamps on each street are connected in multiple to a common ground or return wire 15, the wires 15 being connected in multiple to a ground or return main 16. As here shown one series of sets of lights are indicated as arranged (Fig. 2) along a cross street while the remaining series are each indicated as along a street intersecting the cross street. Obviously this arrangement need not be adhered to but will, in practice, be varied to suit the particular plan of streets and apparatus routmg in the territory covered. Each set of relays has its movable contacts governed individually by the relay magnets 17', 17 and 17 and these magnets are connected in multiple to the supply line 10.

For each of the sets of signal mains 13', 13 and 13 there is provided a peculiar switch 18, the specific structure of which will be hereinafter more fully described. For the present it is sufficient to say that each of the switches 18 is provided with three movable contacts or blades 19", 19, and 19 which are electrically connected with corresponding relay magnets by conductors 20, 20 and 20. These movable contacts normally engage fixedcontacts 21', 21 and 21 and the blades in each switch are arranged for simultaneous movement but are inde endent of the blades in the other switches. hen the set of blades in a switch is moved out of engagement with the fixed contacts 21', 21 and 21 the blade 19 then engages a fourth fixed contact 22. All of the switches have their fixed contacts 21, 21 and 21 connected in multi 1e to wires 23, 23 and 23 respectively and rom these last wires extend wires 24, 24 and 24 which connect with the movable contacts 25', 25 and 25 of station rela s. These last contacts normally engage t e fixed contacts 26', 26 and '26 of the station relays which are connected by wires 27, 27 and 27 with the fixed contacts 28', 28 and 28 of a manually controlled three pole double throw switch. For normal 01 automatic operation these fixed contacts toa are engaged by movable contacts or blades 29, 29 and 29 which are in turn connected by wires 30', 30 and 30 with themovable contacts 31', 31 and 31 of a similar manually operable, three pole double throw switch.

As before stated,the contacts 25', 25 and 25 normally engage the contacts 26', 26 and 26 and it will be understood from what follows later that under normal conditions the station relays are de-energized and that contact is broken by the energization of such relays. T 0 permit the yellow signals to be constantly displayed in case of fire it is necessary that provision be made to maintain current in the line 27 and to that end the yellow relay is provided with a second contact 32 which is connected by a jumper wire 33 with the wire 27. Thus when the contact 25 disengages from contact 26 it engages contact 32 and connection is maintained between wires 24 and 27.

The blades or contacts 31', 31 and 31" are movable between fixed contacts 34, 34 and 34 and fixed contacts 35', 35 and 35.

In order to provide for changes in the timing of the signals as well as to operate the same automatically, two timers are employed. Each of these timers is alike and consists essentially of a shaft 36 driven by one or the other of a pairof motors 37 capable of being selectively connected in circuit by means of switches 38. Naturally suitable means are provided for reducing the speed of the shaft below that of the motor but, for the sake of simplicity in the diagram, the speed reducing means is omitted from the drawing. However, it is to be understood that the shaft of one timer revolves at a higher rate of speed than the shaft of the other timer. Each shaft is provided with wiper segments 39 and 39 and with a wiper disk 39 which, as the shaft revolves, engage fixed wipers 40', 40 and 40, the disk 39 bein of course, constantly engaged by 40 but t e segments 39 and 39 only close intermittently with their fixed wipers. From these fixed wipers extend wires 41, 41 and 41, the wires from one timer extending to the contacts 34', 34 and 34. and the wires from the other timer extending to the contacts 35", 35 and 35. Also mounted on the shaft 36 is a pair of contact or wiper, segments 42 which are insulated from each other and arranged to successively en age the fixed wipers 43 which are connected y a wire 44.

Finally there is mounted on the shaft a disk 45 which is engaged by a wiper 46 connected ound or return wire 47. Thus by moving t e blades 31, 31. and 31 either the fast or the slow timer may be connected in the circuit.

The first tri le pole double throw switch is provided witli fixed" contacts 48',- 48 and 48 which are respectively connected to contact points 49, 49 and 49 traversed by a manually operable movable contact arm 50 connected to a return or ground wire 51. Thus by moving this switch the signals may be arranged either for automatic timing or for manual shifting according to the will of the operator.

The station relays are actuated by magnets 52, 52 and 52 which are connected in multiple to the wires 53 of a circuit containing a battery 54 and normally open circuit closer 55. Manually operable means for closing this circuit closer from a remote point may be provided consisting of a T-lever 56 connected to the core of a solenoid 57 which is in turn connected to, the wires 58 of a circuit including a battery 59 and key 60. This manual means is held from operating by a latch lever 61 V urged to release position by a spring 62 but through contact 11, contact 12, wire 13', lamp normally held from release position by an electro-magnet 63 connected to the wires 64 of a fire alarm circuit including the box 65 and battery 66. 1

Under normal conditions (i. e. those in which tralfic is moving over the streets under automatic control) an operating circuit may be traced for each red signal as follows. Current-will enter over the supply line 10 and flow through magnet 17, wire 20, contact 19, contact 21', wire 23 wire 24', contact 25, contact 26, wire 27 contact 28', contact 29', wire 30*, contact 31"", contact 34', wire 35', wiper segment 39, shaft 36, disk 45, wiper 46 and to the ground or return wire 47. This energizes the respective magnet 17 Y and causes the contact 11 to engage the contact 12. This closes a circuit from the supply line 10 14, wire 15 to ground or return wire 16. Thereby the red light is energized and disv plays the red or stop signal. By using the suflixes g and y inplace of r the circuits may be traced for the green and yellow lamps. Now since the timeraction controls the contacting of the wipers on the shaft with the fixed wipers and the red, yellow and green circuits will be closed through the usual cycle red, yellow, green, yellow and repeat.

Now supposing it is desired to close off one street to traflic. The switch 18 may be moved to break engagement between the movable contacts 19 and fixed contacts 21, bringing the contact 19 into engagement with the respectime contact 22?. Since there is a switch for each street or line of lights the green and red light circuits through the wires 20 and 20' will be dead ended at the respective switch 18. Consequently, the magnets 17 g and 17 will remain de-energized and the red and green light circuits will be opened at 12 and 12. However, since the contact 19 now engages contact 22 the magnet 17 will remain energized because current will flow from the wire 10 through'the magnet 17 wire 20*, contact 19*, contact 22, to the ground wire 67. Consequently, this circuit will not be subject to interruption by the action of the timer but the magnet 17 Y will be constantly energized so that all of the yellow lights connected to the circuit controlled by said magnet will re- -main lit until the switch 18 is restored to normal position. As will be understood by the specific description of this switch the manipu lation of the switch may be made from any desired point. Obviously only those yellow lights controlled by the particular switch 18 will be affected, the remaining signals operating from the timer as before described.

Also it is equally obvious that as many of the switches may be operated as desired.

If it is wished to shift from automatic to manual operation of the lights the contacts 29 are moved to disengage from the contacts 28 and engage thecontacts 48 under these circumstances instead of the current flowing from the relay magnets 17 to the timers it will flow through a contact, such as 48, con-, tact 49, manually operable arm 50 to the ground wire 51.

Again, we may suppose that it is desired-to close ofi all of the ordinary traffic from the area. Under these conditions, assuming that the trip lever 61 has released, by the action of the fire alarm, the lever 56; then by depressing the key 60 the solenoid 57 will be energized and close the circuit closer 55 which will energize the relay magnets 52, 52 and 52 and open contact between the contacts 25 and 26. Therefore the circuit through the relay magnet'17 in all circuits in the area or zone will be broken but by reason of the contact 25 engaging contact 32 the. yellow controlling circuit will be closed at this point closed in my priorapplication above set forth so that when reference is made herein to a red signal it is meant that the signal shows red in one direction while showing green on the intersecting street and in like manner the signal here indicated as green shows red on the intersecting street while showing green on the first mentioned street.

In order to audibly indicate the opening of the circuits between contacts 25 and 26 a relay magnet 69 is connected to the wires 53 in parallel with the magnets 52', 52*, and 52 and this magnet is arranged, when energized to close a circuit through a buzzer 70. Similarly, the opening of the switches 18 may be indicated by the closing of a circuit through a buzzer as will now be set forth, reference being had especially to Figures 3 and 4.

In the form of these switches here shown there is provided an insulating base 71 from which project arms 72 carrying an insulating bar 73 supporting the contacts 2P, 21 and 21*. On the base is mounted a pair of bearings 74 supporting a shaft 5 wliereon is an insulating block 76 carrying the contacts 19 7 19 and 19' connected to the coiled wires 20 20 and 20. The contacts or blades 19 19 and 19 are urged toward the base 71 by a torsion spring 77 but are held from such movement by a trip lever 78 normally engaging a pin 79 projecting, from the shaft 75.

This trip lever is of magnetic material and switch. As a means of indicating the opening of the red and green control circuits a normally open circuit closer 84 may be mountedon the base in the path of one of the arms 19 to be closed by engagement of said arm. This circuit closer may control a signal circuit through a battery 85 and a suitable signal such as the buzzer 86.-

Pilot lights 87 may be employed where desired to indicate conditions in other zones.

While the fire alarm control has been shown as operable only by manual intervention it is obvious that the contact 55 may be automatically closed by such means as has been shown and described in my aforesaid copending application Serial No. 9,625, filed February 16, 1925, now Patent No. 1,728,602, granted September 17 1929. The showing of this arrangement has been omitted in the prw ent case to avoid complication in the showing of the wiring diagram.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is:

1. A trafiic signal of street intersections, said intersections being connected in groups, comprising trafiio directing signals for each intersection, oper-- ating means for alternately displaying said signals, said operating means including a source of energy and a signal control device, a master arrangement of leads, multiple connections between said signals and saidmaster arrangement, additional leads connecting one of said signals of each group to said master arrangement, a switch individual to each group interrupting res ective leads movable to one position to e ect system for a plurality normal operation of the signals of that group and to another position to energize the last mentioned signal only of that group, leads connecting said master arrangement and said operating means, and a master switching means interrupting said connecting leads movable to one position to efiect normal operation of the signals in all groups and movable to another position to display only the last mentioned signal of all groups.

2. In combination, a plurality of series of signal stations, each station having a plurality of "different crossing signals, means for operating a signal at each of the stations simultaneously and periodically in regular order one after the other, and means for cutting out the periodically operating means for a selected series of stations, the cutting out means being operative for maintaining in continuous operation one of the signals at each station of the selected series.

3. In combination, a plurality of series of signal stations, each station having a stop, go, and caution signal, electrically operated means for causing display of a signal at each of the stations simultaneously and periodically in regular order one after the other, and hieans operable from a central station for utting out the periodically operating m ns for a selected series of stations and for maintaining one signal in continuous display at each station of the selected series.

4. In a traflic control system, in combination, a plurality of series of trafiic signal stations, each station including an electric stop and go signal, a single control means for operating the signals at each of said stations periodically and successively one after the other, a single means for cutting out the go signals of all the series of stations while maintaining the stop signals in operation, and an additional means serving both for cutting out the periodic operation of the go signals for a selected series of stations only, and for maintaining a stop I signal in operation at each station of the selected series.

5. A traflic'signal system for a plurality of street intersections, comprising trafiic di- 1 recting signals for each intersection, operating means for alternately displaying said signals, said operating means including a source of energy and a signal control device, electrical connections between said signals and said signal control device, additional leads connecting one signal of all intersections with :said source of energy, and a switch interrupting said electrical connections and said leads, movable to one position to effect normal operation of all signals and movable to another position to display only the last mentioned signals of all intersections; Y i

6. A traflic signal system for a plurality of street intersections, comprising stop and go signals for each intersection, operating means for alternately displaying stop and go signals, said operating means including a source of energy and a slgnal control device, electrical connections between said signals and said signal control device, additional leads connections stop signals of all intersections with said source of energy, and a switch interrupting said electrical connections and said leads movable to one position to effect normal operation of all signals and movable to another position to display only the stop signals of all intersections.

7. In a trafiic control system, a plurality of series of signal stations located at street intersections, each station having traflic directing signals, a single control means for operating the signals at each of said stations periodically and successively, and a single means movable to one position to effect normal operation of the signals of a selected series, and movable to another position to cut out the normal operation of signals of said series, and while in the latter position to maintain in operation a part only of the signals at each station of the selected series.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

HENRY GARRETT.

DISCLAIMER 1,743,965.Hem"y Garrett, Dallas, Tex. SYSTEM FOR OPERATING TRAFFIC-CON- TROLLINGVAND FIRE-ALARM APPARATUS. Patent dated January 14, 1930. Disclaimer filed May 3, 1940, by the assignee, National Electric Signal Company. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 5 and 6 in said specification.

[Ofiicial Gazette May 28, 1940.] 

